Rebuilding year for Lady Broncos
The Lady Bronco softball team will be looking to rebuild its infield this year, and youth will be part of their rebuilding process.
Head coach Mike Steakley has several concerns with his team this year after losing four starters to graduation.
“We have a lot of crucial positions to fill this spring. We lost our catcher, shortstop and third baseman from last year. Those girls are going to be hard to replace,” Steakley said after his teams scrimmaged the Lady Pioneers Monday afternoon.
“We will have to rely on several of our younger players to step up and take charge. We have experience at all of the other positions, it’s just going to take a little time and work for our shortstop and catcher.”
The Lady Broncos return first baseman Tenera Jones, left fielder Kati Sutton, pitchers Amber and Scarlette Hodge, catcher Mary Reynolds and second baseman Grace Barnes.
“The girls have been working really hard,” Steakley noted. “The weather has slowed us down a little, but overall we have made some big strides. We will have to have leadership out of our older girls to help give the younger players some confidence.”
Pitching will be another concern for Steakley. He has two returning from last year, but depth will be a problem for the Lady Broncos.
“Amber and Scarlette will do most of our pitching this year,” he said. “They have a lot of experience, but we need someone to step in and be able to give them some relief this season.”
Coach Steakley was very pleased with his teams’ effort against the Lady Pioneers Monday afternoon, and said many of his concerns may have been put to rest.
“I was pleasantly surprised today,” he said. “The girls came out here and did a real good job against a very good WCHS team.
“We had several eight graders to step up and play very well today. Our young infield did a great job and Mary Reynolds did a good job behind the plate, I was very pleased with our effort.
“We made a few mental mistakes but your going to do that when you have younger players on the field. We hit the ball and executed a couple of bunts and did a good job around the plate. We have several thing to work on, but overall I was very happy with the way we played today.”
The Lady Broncos will open their season on the road Tuesday at Westmoreland.